Master of Arts in Asian Studies
1. Programme Overview
The Master of Arts in Asian Studies is a research-oriented graduate programme offered by the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. The programme provides advanced interdisciplinary knowledge of Asia, with particular emphasis on history, politics, international relations, culture, language, economy, and society. It aims to equip students with both theoretical foundations and research competencies to analyze contemporary Asian issues from comparative and cross-regional perspectives.
- Degree Awarded: Master of Arts in Asian Studies
- Programme Code: 8310602
- Mode of Study: Full-time
- Duration: 2 years
- Total Credits: 60 credits
- Language of Instruction: Vietnamese (with academic materials in English and other Asian languages where applicable)
2. Objectives
2.1. General Objectives:
The Asian Studies program aims to produce experts with a broad understanding of Asia and in-depth knowledge of the history, politics, international relations, culture, language, economy, and society of Asian nations. It focuses on developing high-quality human resources capable of self-direction, adaptation, management, evaluation, and innovation to enhance professional efficiency in the current context of integration and globalization. Furthermore, the program prepares a workforce of researchers and educators specialized in Area Studies and Asian Country Studies for research institutions and educational organizations both in Vietnam and abroad.
2.2. Specific Objectives:
To specify the general objectives, ensuring that graduates possess the required knowledge, skills, and levels of autonomy and responsibility.
Knowledge
- Graduates will gain extensive expertise in both regional and country-specific Asian studies. Additionally, they will achieve mastery of research methodologies and management skills to lead research projects and professional administrative tasks.
Skills
- Upon graduation, students will possess the capacity to conduct systematic and comprehensive research on Asian regional issues, as well as the history, politics, international relations, culture, language, economy, and society of specific Asian nations.
- Graduates possess professional research and teaching competencies, such as information gathering and processing, public speaking, academic writing, defending research results, and the ability to manage and lead research initiatives.
Autonomy and Responsibility
- Upon graduation, graduates will be capable of conducting independent research and generating new knowledge; they will be able to propose innovative ideas and original insights within their specific professional fields.
- Graduates will be capable of adapting, self-directing, and leading others; they will proactively provide scientific judgments and evidence-based decisions.
- Graduates are committed to professional development, continuous research, and the creation of new ideas, while upholding a strong sense of social and community responsibility.
- Graduates are expected to uphold legal and professional codes of conduct and demonstrate a profound respect for cultural, religious, and diverse perspectives.
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
No. | PLO |
1 | Knowledge |
PLO1 | Apply regional Asian overview and specialized knowledge across socio-political and economic dimensions to research activities and professional career contexts. |
PLO2 | Analyze in-depth knowledge of Asian Studies to explain the diversity within regional and trans-regional research. |
PLO3 | Evaluate the historical, political, international relations, cultural, linguistic, economic, and social diversity to address practical issues in Asia. |
PLO4 | Synthesize various blocks of Asian Studies knowledge to design and propose research tasks and workflow management. |
2 | Skills (Professional Skills and Transferable Skills) |
PLO5 | Demonstrate mastery of scientific theories, methods, and tools for research and development within the field of Asian Studies in particular and Area Studies in general. |
PLO6 | Skills in integrating and adapting specialized knowledge to propose creative solutions within research and professional environments. |
PLO7 | Skills in managing and directing professional activities in the research of Asian Studies issues. |
PLO8 | Skills in research design and workflow management to address contemporary practical issues. |
PLO9 | Possess foreign language proficiency equivalent to Level 4/6 of the Vietnamese Framework of Language Proficiency. |
3 | Autonomy and Responsibility |
PLO10 | Demonstrate independence in research and creativity in generating new knowledge to propose innovative ideas and insights within complex and diverse contexts. |
PLO11 | Clearly and consistently demonstrate responsibility in research and learning to provide collective orientation and lead individuals in knowledge development and idea generation. |
PLO12 | Demonstrate the conscious ability to adapt and mobilize various resources to proactively provide expert-level judgments, conclusions, and evaluations within the field of expertise. |
PLO13 | Adhere to professional ethics and comply with general legal regulations. |
4. Requirements for potential learners
Candidates from the following majors can applied to Asian Studies:
- Suitable majors: International Studies (7310601), Asian studies (7310602), Pacific Studies (7310607), Oriental Studies (7310608), Chinese Studies (7310612), Japanese Studies (7310613), South Korean Studies (7310614), Southeast Asia Studies (7310620), Vietnam Studies (7310630), History (7229010), Cultural Studies (7229040), International Relations (7310206).
- Near majors: History Pedagogy (7140218), Philosophy (7229001), Religion studies (7229009), World economics (7310106), Political Science (7310201), Sociology (7310301), Anthropology (7310302), International Business (7340120).
- Other majors: Languages
Candidates from the near majors and other majors have to complete supplementary courses.
5. Curriculum Structure
The programme consists of 60 credits (120 ECTS):
- General Knowledge: 4 credits (8 ECTS)
- Core and Specialized Courses: 29 credits (58 ECTS)
- Research Modules: 12 credits (24 ECTS)
- Master’s Thesis: 15 credits (30 ECTS)
Core and specialized courses including courses such as: Research Methods in Area Studies; Contemporary International Relations in Asia; Indian Culture and Its Influence in Asia; Chinese Culture and Its Influence in Asia; Languages and Writing Systems in Asia; Asian Economy, etc.
Elective Courses including courses such as: Political Culture in Asia; The Silk Road; India’s Act East Policy; Religion and Beliefs in Asia; Language Contact in Asia; Business Culture in Asia; Ethnic Conflicts in Asian Societies; Women in Asian Societies; International Business in Asia; etc.
6. Internationalization
The Master of Arts in Asian Studies is designed with a strong international orientation to prepare students for academic and professional engagement in a rapidly changing Asian and global context.
The programme adopts interdisciplinary and comparative approaches to studying Asia, integrating regional perspectives with global developments in politics, economics, culture, and international relations. Students are encouraged to examine Asia not only as a geographical region but also as a dynamic space of transnational interactions and global influence.
The curriculum incorporates international academic resources, English-language references, and contemporary global research trends in Asian Studies and Area Studies. Students are exposed to diverse perspectives through academic seminars, research workshops, and scholarly exchanges with domestic and international experts.
The programme also promotes international academic mobility and cooperation through partnerships with universities, research institutions, and scholars specializing in Asian Studies, thereby strengthening students’ capacity for global academic networking and cross-cultural understanding.
Graduates are equipped with the knowledge, language competencies, and intercultural awareness necessary to work effectively in multicultural and international environments.
7. Employability
The Master of Arts in Asian Studies equips graduates with advanced disciplinary knowledge, analytical competencies, and practical research skills that are highly relevant to today’s regional and global labor markets.
Through rigorous academic training, students develop expertise in research design, policy analysis, critical thinking, communication, and project management. These competencies enable graduates to adapt effectively to diverse professional environments requiring regional expertise and cross-cultural understanding.
Graduates are well prepared for careers in:
- Higher education and academic research
- Government institutions and public policy agencies
- Diplomacy and international relations
- International organizations and NGOs
- Cultural and educational institutions
- Media, consulting, and international business sectors
The programme also provides a strong academic foundation for graduates wishing to pursue doctoral studies and advanced research in Asian Studies, Area Studies, and related disciplines.
With Asia playing an increasingly central role in global economic, political, and cultural developments, graduates of the programme possess a significant competitive advantage in careers requiring regional expertise and international competence.
